Rupert Everett has opened up about the emotional toll he experienced after being dropped from Emily in Paris. The 66-year-old actor revealed in a new interview that he spent two weeks in bed after learning he wouldn’t be returning to the hit Netflix series, admitting, “I couldn’t get over it.”
Everett, who appeared in the Season 4 finale as interior designer Giorgio Barbieri, expected to reprise his role in the next installment. However, that call never came. Speaking to Vanity Fair Italia at the Marateale Film Festival, he said the disappointment hit him hard: “For me, it was a tragedy. I was in bed for two weeks because I couldn’t get over it.”
He explained that production had told him, “Next year we’ll speak,” which led him to believe he would return. When that promise went unfulfilled, he said he felt blindsided. The actor described the experience as an example of how unpredictable show business can be, remarking, “It’s always very difficult, from the beginning to the end.”
Sources close to the production, however, suggested that Everett’s character was only meant to appear as a guest star in a single episode. According to Vanity Fair, the decision not to bring him back was simply part of the storyline’s natural progression, rather than an intentional firing.
Despite the short stint, Everett left a strong impression on set. Co-star Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, who plays Sylvie Grateau, previously praised him for his charm and professionalism during their scenes together in Rome, calling the experience “a pleasure.”
Everett’s emotional reaction underscores how even established performers can be deeply affected by abrupt creative changes. Meanwhile, Emily in Paris has been renewed for a fifth season, with Lily Collins and the main cast returning, though Everett confirmed he will not be part of it.
Reflecting on the experience, Everett said the disappointment was a reminder of how fragile opportunities can be in the entertainment world and how personal each project can feel, even to those with long, successful careers.
